Shrove Tuesday is the feasting day before Ash Wednesday, also the first day of Lent

People eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday because it’s a good way to use up the ingredients that people give up for Lent

Eggs, flour, salt, and milk also represent the four pillars of the Christian faith

Shrove Tuesday is celebrated with Mardi Gras in the United States

What is Shrove Tuesday?

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Lent is the 40-day period (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter. Lent is traditionally a time of fasting when people give up unhealthy foods.

When is Shrove Tuesday?

This year, Shrove Tuesday is on Tuesday, February 13.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, meaning the date changes from year to year. Last year, Shrove Tuesday was on February 28. The year before that, it was on February 9.

Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada because pancakes are a good way to use up ingredients like flour, sugar, and oil before the Lent fast begins.

Pancakes might also be associated with Shrove Tuesday because they represent the four pillars of the Christian faith, according to Historic UK. Eggs symbolise creation, flour is the staff of life, salt is wholesomeness, and milk represents purity.

What are pancakes?

In the UK, a traditional pancake is very thin and often served with lemon juice and sugar or syrup. American pancakes are fluffy because they use a raising agent, like baking powder.